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Department of Plant and Microbial Biology 
Microbiology Graduate Programs

Lee-Ann Jaykus

LJ

William Neal Reynolds Distinguished Professor of Emerita

Education

BS Food Science Purdue University 1979

MS Food Science Purdue University 1982

Ph.D. Environmental Sciences and Engineering University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 1994

Area(s) of Expertise

My research is in food microbiology, with a specific interest in microbial food safety. Much of the work done in my laboratory focuses on food virology, the study of the transmission of enteric viruses (mostly noroviruses) through the food chain. I direct the USDA-NIFA Food Virology Collaborative, also called NoroCORE, a five-year, $25 million project. My students and staff also work in the development of pre-analytical sample processing methods to facilitate molecular-based detection of pathogens in foods, as well as the application of quantitative risk assessment in food safety.

Groups

  • American Society for Microbiology Division P Lecturer, 2013
  • National Academy of Sciences, Food and Nutrition Board, member, 2012-present
  • National Academy of Sciences Food Forum Executive Committee, member, 2012-present
  • Recipient, Purdue University Food Science Distinguished Alumnus Award, 2012
  • International Association for Food Protection (IAFP), Executive Board Member, 2007-2012 (served as president 2010-2011)
  • Recipient, NC State Alumni Association Distinguished Research Award, 2007
  • Recipient of IAFP Educator Award, 2006
  • National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods, member, 2002-2009